Show Me Your Friends…

If you’re a typical African especially Nigerian, you would be able to complete the statement in the topic LOL

At every stage in our lives, our interests and perspectives on things change. The effect of this change is usually seen in the outcomes of the things and people we involve ourselves with. Now with activities and things, we have control over, but the way people treat us is what we don’t have control over. That is why we are often told to choose our friends wisely and know where to place the people in our lives as well as know when their time expires in our lives because; the initial prevention of such incidents that can be caused by bad relationships with people is what we have a handle on. My mum used to tell me two things, you’re only as intelligent as the people you have in your corner (friends) and if you are the smartest person in a room, it’s high time you found a new room.

Now this is not saying drop the people who have been there for you from time; but if you’re the only one that has something to offer and you can’t necessarily gain knowledge from the people around you, it can become draining and stressful to maintain. In the world of business, networking is so crucial because people know the advantage of connecting with people who are like-minded, just as driven as you are and also people who can take you to the next level of your career. Any move made on this earth to stay the same is a fruitless move. If the things and people you involve yourself with don’t change or affect your life in a positive and motivating way, then what’s the point?

In my early teenage years, I didn’t have a lot of friends and because of that, going into university; I made sure I made as much friends as I could. Growing older, my thinking started to change and these changes required that I recycled my friendships but because I had invested so much and felt like having these friends was the best I could do, it prevented me from making the necessary changes. And what I’ve observed is that sometimes we doubt ourselves so much that we refuse to believe that we deserve better people in our lives. It could be because we feel guilty for out-growing them or because we think we can’t do better but trust me you can because if you’ve been blessed to think at a higher capacity with a bigger purpose, there are always people out there that suit that purpose and will help nurture it and that is why knowing God and knowing who you are before entering any kind of friendship or relationship is so important because you already know what works for you and where you’re headed. Hunny, don’t mistake what you’re offered with what you deserve. Now, staying in those friendships caused a decline in my growth and after sometime, I started to liken myself to them and whatever their capacity and goals were was what mine was limited to.

This disturbed me so much because I knew what I was capable of doing and nothing is as frustrating as knowing who you are and what you’re called to do but your environment is stunting that growth. Now you all know I’m a “Jesus baby” and so I started praying specific prayers for a change in the atmosphere and after some time, God started to recycle my environment. The friends I had, due to some reasons, naturally parted ways with me and as God would have it, I had the grace and the peace to deal with the effect because it still hurt after all, they were my friends and I loved them but the passion for what God was calling me to do was stronger and as soon as my purpose gained clarity, naturally, my life’s decisions started to navigate towards it.

Don’t be afraid to make the decisions that will enhance your life especially the hard ones. Also in making these decisions, let God guide you so you make the best ones. The road that God is calling you to take can only be travelled by you and so that has to be the number one thing on your mind. If you’re fortunate to have even 3 friends who you know are there for you and would go lengths for you, protecting the loyalty and trust amongst you as well as enhancing each other’s growth and productivity, be grateful ( I mean of all the disciples, Jesus was closest to Peter, James and John so trust me, you’re good). Loving yourself would be one of the hardest decisions you would make because of the things and people you have to lose but ultimately it would be amazing because you would find yourself and the people that truly matter and when you do, it’ll be worth it.

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True thoughts. The ambiance does affect us. So, we need to choose things which we want to put in that ambiance carefully. Because even an extra pinch of salt can spoil the whole dish. And of course, I always love that thought. It makes sense.
Have a great 2018!
Live well. 🙂